TEHRAN - Iran's First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri on Sunday called on the Republic of Korea (ROK) to unfreeze Iran's assets in its banks as soon as possible, Press TV reported.

Blocking Iran's foreign exchange assets in the ROK's banks has marred the image of the country among the Iranian people, Jahangiri said in a joint press conference with visiting ROK Prime Minister Chung Sye-Kyun.

Unfortunately, the ROK has followed the United States in implementing illegal sanctions against Iran over the past three years, which has depressed the bilateral relations, he added.

The measures by the ROK banks, at the time when Iranians are in need of their resources to fight the coronavirus pandemic, have led to economic and health consequences, as the monetary resources could have been used to buy medical equipment, medicine and other essential goods for the country, the Iranian senior official noted.

For his part, Chung said the two countries have agreed to work on ways to expand mutual relations, and ROK will increase humanitarian aid, including medicines and medical equipment, to Iran.

Chung's visit to Iran follows the recent release of an ROK oil tanker, which had been seized by Iran for purportedly polluting the Gulf waters with chemicals.